Lattice Boltzmann simulation of liquid falling on horizontal rectangular pillar arrays

Abstract

Stator coils of automobiles in operation generate heat and are cooled by a coolant poured from above. Since the behavior characteristic of the coolant poured on the coils is not clarified yet due to its complexity, the three-dimensional two-phase flow simulation is conducted. In this study, as a steppingstone to the simulation of the liquid falling on the actual coils, the coils are modelled with horizontal rectangular pillar arrays whose governing parameters can be easily changed. The two-phase flows are simulated using the lattice Boltzmann method and the phase-field model, and the effects of the governing parameters, such as the physical properties of the cooling liquid, the wettability, and the gap between the pillars, on the wetting area are investigated. The results show that the oil tends to spread across the pillars because of its high viscosity. Moreover, the liquid spreads quickly when the contact angle is small. In the case that the pillars are stacked, the wetting area of the inner pillars is larger than that of the exposed pillars.